Introducing Crocus

Penstemon 'Sour Grapes'

A smoky mixture of pink and blue with an almost metallic silver sheen on the back of the purple-streaked slender trumpets make this long-flowering plant shine in any light

Val Bourne
- Garden Writer

Position: full sun or partial shade

Soil: fertile, well-drained soil

Rate of growth: average

Flowering period: July to October

Hardiness: frost hardy (will need winter protection in cold areas)

Elegant spikes of small, tubular, foxglove-like flowers appear from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This easy-to-grow perennial will quickly form large, leafy clumps and is perfect for adding a splash of colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. If you deadhead regularly, the flowers will persist until the first frosts. The magenta-blue flowers of this penstemon have a metallic sheen, reminiscent of black grapes, which contrasts particularly well with deep purples and blues.

Garden care: Remove the faded blooms regularly to prolong flowering. Apply a dry mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from frost damage and cut back in spring when new shoots appear low down on the stem. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.

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